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lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 1,213 acres, Missoula County

Placid Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-3kt

    SSE, gusts 6

    High 50°F, rain 90%

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    4-7kt

    WSW, gusts 17

    High 43°F, rain 48%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    2-4kt

    SSW, gusts 10

    High 42°F, rain 68%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-2kt

    ESE, gusts 6

    High 44°F, rain 22%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-2kt

    SE, gusts 5

    High 45°F, rain 24%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0-2kt

    SW, gusts 4

    High 46°F, rain 18%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-2kt

    W, gusts 5

    High 45°F, rain 31%

    Light wind

Hour by hour, next 3 days

Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

This week on Placid

Over the next 7 days on Placid Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Reading a lake wind forecast

Sustained wind is the average over a couple of minutes; gusts are the short peaks. On inland water the gap between the two matters as much as the average. A steady 12 kt is a pleasant sail, while 8 kt gusting 20 kt knocks small boats flat and tires out paddlers.

On a lake the size of Placid, waves stay modest, but nearby hills, trees and buildings bend the wind. Expect shifts and puffs, especially close to shore, and treat the forecast speed as an average across open water.

The National Weather Service forecast covers a 2.5 km grid, so local effects like a sea breeze off a big lake, a cold front or afternoon thunderstorms can arrive earlier or stronger than shown. Check the forecast again on the morning you go, and keep an eye on small craft advisories.

Placid Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Placid Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: W wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 45°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Placid Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with WSW wind around 4 to 7 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Placid Lake wind forecast come from?

From the National Weather Service gridded forecast for the 2.5 km cell over the lake. It is the same forecast local NWS offices use, updated several times a day. We convert wind to knots and add our own go or no-go call for each activity.

What wind is too strong for a kayak or paddleboard?

We flag paddling as risky once sustained wind passes about 8 kt or gusts pass 12 kt, and advise staying ashore above 12 kt sustained or 18 kt gusts. Offshore wind is the most dangerous because it pushes you away from the launch.

Nearby lakes

If Placid is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.